Psalm 56 3

Psalm 56:3 kjv

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalm 56:3 nkjv

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Psalm 56:3 niv

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3 esv

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3 nlt

But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.

Psalm 56 verses

Psalm 56 3 Meaning

Psalm 56:3 declares a profound principle: despite the natural human emotion of fear, an individual can make a conscious and determined choice to place their unwavering trust solely in the Lord. It signifies not the absence of fear, but a confident reliance on God's character and power in the midst of fearful circumstances, acknowledging that genuine security is found in Him alone.

Psalm 56 3 Context

Psalm 56 is a Michtam of David, specifically composed "when the Philistines seized him in Gath." This historical context, described in 1 Samuel 21:10-15, shows David fleeing from King Saul, who sought his life, and finding himself in even greater danger among his former enemies, the Philistines. He feigned madness to escape their grasp. The psalm expresses the deep fear, distress, and relentless pursuit by enemies (referred to as "they," "my enemies," "my oppressors"). In this moment of extreme vulnerability, facing both external threat and internal apprehension, David articulates his resolve to trust in the Lord, establishing a pattern of faith that transcends his desperate circumstances.

Psalm 56 3 Word analysis

• When: This word (kî in Hebrew, a particle) indicates a conditional state or circumstance. It acknowledges that fear is a real, inevitable human experience. It is not an aspiration to never be afraid, but a declaration of action in the presence of fear. It makes the statement profoundly relatable and practical.

• I am afraid: The Hebrew term is yārē'tî (יָרֵ֥אתִי), a Qal perfect verb from yare'. It means to be afraid, to dread, or to be filled with terror. It explicitly conveys a feeling of intense personal fear. The perfect tense indicates a completed or settled state of experiencing this emotion, highlighting that fear has truly seized him. David doesn't deny his fear; he identifies it plainly.

• I will put my trust: The Hebrew word is evṭaḥ (אֶבְטָ֑ח), a Qal imperfect verb from bāṭaḥ. Bāṭaḥ implies leaning on, relying on, having confidence in, or feeling secure. The imperfect tense here expresses a volitional act, a continuous or future determination: "I will trust," or "I shall put my trust." This signifies a deliberate, conscious decision of the will, an active posture of faith rather than a passive hope. It’s a powerful act of defiance against the fear.

• in You: The Hebrew is bāḵ (בָּךְ), meaning "in you" (referring to God). This short but critical phrase makes the object of trust singular, personal, and exclusive. David places his confidence directly and completely in the divine Person of God, Yahweh, rather than in human strength, political alliances, or his own cunning. This stands in stark contrast to the idolatrous or self-reliant practices common in the surrounding cultures. It implicitly contrasts the unreliability of men with the steadfastness of God.

• Words-group Analysis: "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You."

  • This is a classical confession of faith and a profound statement of resolved dependence.
  • It highlights the dichotomy between natural human emotion (fear) and supernatural spiritual response (trust). It is not an 'if-then' but a 'when-then' statement, recognizing fear as an actual, encountered reality.
  • The use of "I" underscores a deeply personal commitment and volitional choice in a desperate situation, an intimate act between David and his God.
  • It exemplifies the biblical truth that faith is often exercised most powerfully not in the absence of trials, but within them.

Psalm 56 3 Bonus section

• This verse is not a passive hope but an active declaration, a vow of commitment in the face of anxiety. It emphasizes that trust is a dynamic and intentional spiritual exercise.
• It serves as a counter-polemic against the worldview that advocates for self-reliance or trust in worldly powers/idols. David implicitly declares God's sufficiency over all other forms of security.
• The progression from acknowledged fear to decisive trust models a healthy spiritual response to distress, making room for genuine emotion while providing a divine solution.
• This statement reveals that overcoming fear is often less about banishing the feeling and more about consciously redirecting one's focus and reliance from the problem to God.

Psalm 56 3 Commentary

Psalm 56:3 encapsulates a fundamental spiritual discipline: confronting human vulnerability with divine certainty. David, in an incredibly precarious situation where his very life was threatened, did not pretend to be fearless. He candidly admitted, "When I am afraid." This acknowledgement is key, as it validates the human experience of fear without allowing it to dominate. The verse then immediately pivots to the intentional act of faith: "I will put my trust in You." This is a decision of the will, a spiritual resolve to actively lean into God, despite the overwhelming circumstances. It’s an exercise of reliance on God's character – His faithfulness, power, and presence – rather than on one's own capabilities or the absence of danger. The exclusivity of "in You" means that genuine security is found solely in the Lord, offering a pathway to peace and resilience even amid severe affliction. It teaches that faith isn't naive optimism but a deliberate turning towards God as the ultimate refuge and stronghold, empowering believers to navigate fear with an anchored soul.